and i'll stay yours, no matter sunrise, nightfall

[promittere]

WAXING CRESCENT PRESTO

Things haven't been easy the past two months for the new sage's wizards, but their hard work is paying off. All twenty-five, including sage and mentor, have been personally invited to the home of the newly-appointed Lady Diane Chenon of Borda Island, located in the Western Country.

Borda Island is a popular holiday desination located off the western coast of the mainland, and as the local ruler, Lady Diane's abode is nothing less than a beautiful castle—a gorgeous piece of architecture, even if it isn't as grand as Granvelle Castle.

She invites everyone to stay for an entire weekend. But when they all arrive to their destination, they'll find that she's...absent, due to sudden business she has to attend to. No matter, though. Her staff is ready to receive you anyway, and you're given free reign over both the castle and the island.

In the castle, the staff have set out an entire feast for the crew, with all sorts of food imaginable. From large savory dishes to delectable sweets, everything is exquisite, and it's set out in a buffet style so everyone can pick and choose what they want to eat. The castle also has stunning views of the town and the western expanse of sea beyond the mainland.

Outside of the castle, the world is your oyster. Borda Island's beaches are pristine, well-maintained, with silky sand and shining blue water. While there are several other beachgoers at this time of year, the sands and seas are mostly open for the sage's wizards to lounge in as they please. If you think your water breathing magic is up to snuff, then why not go diving? There are whispers of a sunken city far off the coast (if you think you can find it!), and you may be lucky enough to run across a mermaid...

The markets aren't far from the beach, and they hold a vast array of trinkets, activities, and foods catering to every taste imaginable. What's unique about these markets is that a large section of the markets are wizard-owned, which means there are plenty of magical trinkets for sale. And that also means the native wizards are quite curious about you, the alien wizards...

Alternatively, feel free to return to the mainland to visit the Nectar District, which is not that far, all things considered. This is the wizard-only pleasure district of the Western Country, for those who wish to indulge in a bit of depravity. And it is worth visiting at least once while you're here, if at least to connect with some native wizards and learn about wizard culture. But be careful, and do be home in time for dinner—it's hard to escape a Western wizard's charms once they decide they want to play with you.

As night falls, everyone is treated to a spectacular sight. Some may have heard whispers of its arrival, some may not. Either way, the Venator meteor shower darts across the sky as dusk falls.

The meteor shower has another name among wizards—the Lineal meteor shower. Wizards live for a very, very long time, yet their pasts and experiences live on in the teachings they hand down to their apprentices. The stars, too, live a very long time, and as the meteor shower comes by every year, they trace the slight differences in time and in these relationships.

In the past, shooting stars have been considered bad omens. And though the perception of them as simply natural phenomena has become more prevalent, the superstition remains. But some see them as travelers, foreign visitors who are here to usher in a new age of change. How do you see them?

Regardless, every wizard has a memory or two closely related to the meteor shower. Take a moment to look up to the shooting stars as they color the sky, and take in the life you have now—what sort of memory are you going to make on this night, and how will you pass it on?

JOB BOARD

Rekindling. Thanks to your Northern friends' hard work, the worst of the damages have been avoided for the City of Ice. But that doesn't mean they don't need your help still.

The earthquakes left by the chimera's rampage have rattled some buildings, and they need repair. The magical blizzards also seem to have injured some people and damaged some of the stained glass decorations the townsfolk value so highly. Collect crystals from the Forest of Ice to try and replicate them, and try to put in as much protective magic as you can—they need it.

They also request a barrier that blocks magical signatures, much like the one erected around Granvelle Castle. It seems their patrons are back and comatose, and they would like to avoid any attacks by other opportunistic Northern wizards...

Theatrical assistance and celebration. The West is a country of the arts, as well as science, which means there is always some sort of production going on that needs hands and talent. One of the largest theaters in the City of Affluence is in need of help with costuming, prop manufacturing, and is holding auditions for roles in their upcoming play. Maybe now's a good time to get some good publicity for wizards? Or the promise of remuneration and a share of the profits will be enough, as anyone who helps the theater or helps draw crowds to their new play will get quite the financial compensation. And free tickets!

Those more musically inclined or prone to stage fright can also help with the theater's upcoming parade through the city. Those with no marching band experiences can play the most important instrument of all, the cymbal. Or triangle, pick your poison.

If that's still too much, there's always passing out flyers to advertise the new production.

The advent of summer. The summer solstice nears, and the City of Clouds has asked for your assistance! Their yearly summer solstice celebration is coming up and they need help preparing for the festival. Their usual magical muscle is unfortunately still out of commission, so they've turned to the current sage's wizards for assistance. They need help building sets for their dances and music, setting up magical illusions and lights for the main event, and clearing the land where they'll have the food and activity stalls. This may not be as grand in caliber as your previous jobs, but at this point, it may be best to begin building regular goodwill among the natives of this world. Who knows if it may end up being your home...

G'RAHA TASKS

I've heard that some wizards have found that they're capable of a unique sort of spell with another wizard around them, and that those spells can be quite powerful. While I've yet to see any for myself, I've been doing some digging to see if I can understand where it comes from and how it might be replicable. To that end, I think it may be fun to host some sort of gathering where people can try out spells with their comrades and see what happens...?

(OOC Note: This is basically G'raha sanctioned speed-dating, so go wild with this!)

TATARA ACTIVITIES

You know what the best way to bond is? Food! We should have a huge potluck feast one day—everyone make one dish they consider to be their specialty, and we'll have them all out for dinner one day in the dining hall! Don't miss it! I expect all of you to be there!

I really want to fill out my sage tome. I haven't gotten everyone so far, so I'm relying on your trusty submissions! If you could please write down what you like, what you don't like, what you're good at, and what you're bad at and then leave your papers in a stack on a library table, I'd be ever grateful! Thank you~

OOC NOTES

🌙 Welcome to your fifth and final (?) event! Sick of sand yet? Have some more!
🌙 Everyone made AC and that's dope, actually. Thank you all so much for sticking with us!!! We're in the home stretch. Things may be low key right now, but do you think you're ready for what's to come?
🌙 A quick reminder of the deadline for submitting your pair guesses: Friday, June 14, 11:59 PM. There's still time to guess!
🌙 We'll also be closing the rewards page on Wednesday, June 19, 11:59 PM. That's your last chance to get your random items, and your last chance to get your mission rewards. Don't miss out!
🌙 Don't forget, your OOC plotting post is here! Please be sure to use this post, since not everyone checks plurk or discord frequently.
🌙 Our last group to go on their mission will be West. Don't fuck it up, Westies!

» NAVIGATION

Comments

[dyingtohealyou]

[How kind of him to put it in view of his good eye. Ahito glances over, lips pursing as he snatches the sugar from the air in a sharp motion.]

You have magic to spare?

[impacter]

Enough for this much, at least.

[Though it's more of a strain, so close to the ocean. But Ahito knows as much now.

He seats himself down at the trunk of the tree, talking idly.]

You look at ease from up so high.

[dyingtohealyou]

[...

Going to drop the sugar on Solomon's head, or as near as he can get it.]

You're the one who needs it more than me. And I like high places.

[impacter]

[A (15) on reinstating that levitation spell at least keeps the sugar from pelting him right in the face. Hell yeah, he's still got reflexes. Where the hell were these when he fell off the chimera................

He sighs as he lets the small little stars of sugar settle into one of his palms, a quick spell dissipating them completely.]

It's not a comparison, Ahito.

Would you mind telling me why?

[dyingtohealyou]

It is when you were bedridden for days.

[Unlike him who could chill and walk around even if he chose to sleep a lot of it.]

...What, liking high places?

[impacter]

I'm out of bed now, aren't I? Should you be fussing at me when you weren't entirely fond of people fussing at you back at that little party of ours?

[It's not said with any bite.]

If you would like to, yes. Unless you've made that a hiding spot simply by chance.

[dyingtohealyou]

Only because they got the wrong idea immediately.

[And by they he mostly means Mika.]

...I just like high up places. They're convenient.

[impacter]

Should I make a joke about your height?

[Like. He won't, but. He can't not go for the easy bait.]

Did you tell them all of what happened so they wouldn't have to assume?

[dyingtohealyou]

Feel free to, it's not like it matters to me.

[Why does everyone keep thinking his height is a big problem for him... He can do what he needs to and that's what matters.]

And I'm not interested in hearing any advice if that's what you're going for right now.

[impacter]

Mm, I'm not. I just wonder how else people should show they care, if not for their worries.

[dyingtohealyou]

It's up to them to figure out how to show they care without assuming it's because I'm any weaker than the rest of you.

Anyway, what do you want? I'm a little busy.

[A little busy, you know, hanging out trying to recharge in peace.]

[impacter]

Well, that's a load of nonsense. Who's told you that you're weaker?

[Reason for presence pending your answer, sir.]

[dyingtohealyou]

Mika keeps freaking out because he knows I'm frail and he'll take it personally if something happens to me.

[All worries mired in his trauma from losing people, but damn if it doesn't rub Ahito the wrong way when he isn't in the best mood to begin with.]

If you don't have a reason to be here, I can just go.

[He even begins to shift to stand.]

[impacter]

I do. I just think you're being rather harsh on yourself for making one person's overbearing emotions a blanket reason for everyone else to also not care about you. No matter how much he might insist otherwise, Mika is not an absolute.

[Damn, is he getting up to leave already? He sighs.]

You can use your words and ask me to go if this isn't a space you want to share right now, Ahito.

I have something I want to ask you to help with, when you're feeling up to it. Because I had thought you were one of the best ones to trust to be able to handle it. But if we can't even have a conversation for more than a minute at this point, then I will go find someone with more patience.

[dyingtohealyou]

[He pauses, eyes narrowing. The threat to leave might have been more of a bluff than anything else.]

If you didn't always take so long to get to the point, it wouldn't matter how much patience I have or not.

What are you asking about?

[impacter]

I lost the privilege to speak my mind bluntly with you a while ago, Ahito. If I do not explain myself, you won't believe me. If I take too much time, you deem it a waste and unimportant. You can't have it both ways, and yet you expect me to find a third one.

[It's a bit colder than he'd like, the fraying edges of his exhaustion. But he simply exhales, a hand pinched to the bridge of his nose.]

Are you aware of the wizard known as Oz?

There is a village associated with him in the North. I need a group to come with me to check on the people there later this week.

[dyingtohealyou]

[Tch. This is just... annoying. So annoying, in ways he's certainly not about to put word to.]

I heard you loud and clear - repeatedly, under the honesty charm - during the party.

[He can't deny the fact that the old bastard cares anymore, as much as he'd love to.]

Just get to the point and let me make my choice. You can trot out the explanations after I know what the hell it is I'm even supposed to be doing.

[Nevermind that he's also annoyed he's even entertaining helping to begin with. Ugh!!

Still, once Solomon mentions the actual task, he settles back fully in his perch, crossing his arms.]

...Yeah, I know of him. [And where he is right this moment, though he's not about to mention that while in Western lands.] Sounds simple enough.

[impacter]

[Honestly, that doesn't fill him with any sort of comfort. The more he spoke at the bar, the more irritated Ahito looked. Perhaps no amount of honesty could recover this.]

This is not a situation where I'm going to lead with what I want you to do. I have done that with absolutely no one else, and I will not make an exception.

[...]

You've told me before that you would keep your focus on the people. Is that still correct?

[dyingtohealyou]

There's other people involved this time?

[Huh... Wonder who else he's pulling in.]

...I'll help the people of the North, at least. I have some standards.

[He's not about to go out of his way for anyone he deems to be causing needless suffering, human or not.]

If it's another group, I'll need more details.

[impacter]

Yes. A group of five has already gone out the end of last week at my request, and I would like another group to go with me directly now that I'm mostly fit to walk again. Nothing complicated, but I am not in any state or mood to babysit people who don't give a damn.

Which is why I'm only asking some of you.

[...]

Are you aware Oz's castle lights have been restored?

[dyingtohealyou]

[Lips forming a hard line for a moment. But eventually:]

Can't say I've been paying much attention to the castle. I was mostly out in the forest.

Why?

[impacter]

Oz's castle acted as a scarecrow of sorts to other wizards in that area. Given his power, his presence meant either he would scare any others off, or those that were too foolish would have to face the magic that protected his castle even when he wasn't present.

When he vanished with the other wizards of Central, his protective magics vanished, and so did the lights. And even after Central's mission succeeded and their wizards were brought back, those lights didn't return.

The representative I spoke to at the ball shared most of this with me. They had fear of Central retaliation, as well as avalanches from the mountain, attacks from beasts, and wizards wanting to slide in to Oz's territory. So I told them to call on us, when they felt they were genuinely growing fearful.

[dyingtohealyou]

[He absorbs it all, looking out from his perch in the tree rather than down at Solomon. After a moment:]

When did the lights return?

[impacter]

When I broke in and turned them back on.

[dyingtohealyou]

...That why you were gone in the leadup to the chimera?

[All because he went to turn some lights on, of all things?

Not that Ahito's one to assume it was a simple matter, but... all this secrecy, all this sneaking, and for what?]